Patient representatives said the measures could have a big impact.The guidelines update the previous set produced six years ago, and the new lifestyle section says patients should be advised to give up smoking, be physically active for 20-30 minutes a day, and eat a Mediterranean-style diet.

Professor Gene Feder, Chair of the Guideline Development Group, said: "The growing evidence that cardiac rehabilitation and specific lifestyle changes reduces the risk of second heart attacks, as well as improving quality of life, is not widely recognised."

He said that while drugs could make an enormous difference to patients who have had a heart attack, there is now also compelling evidence that lifestyle changes can play a role too.The guidelines update the previous set produced six years ago, and the new lifestyle section says patients should be advised to give up smoking, be physically active for 20-30 minutes a day, and eat a Mediterranean-style diet.